Clean up work planned for East Tullos Burn

01/07/08

Moves are afoot to clean up Aberdeen’s seriously polluted East Tullos Burn.

A new joint initiative by Aberdeen City Council, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa), and Scottish Water is underway to eliminate sources of contamination in the burn, whether they are caused by accident or poor management.

Surface water from East Tullos and Altens Industrial Estates flows into the burn, which has become seriously polluted as a result.

A camera survey will chart the condition of the burn where it is diverted underground, to help environmental officers examine the colours and stains from all pipes discharging into the water.

This will complement sensors that have been placed along the line of the waterway and will target enforcement action against any perpetrators who are discovered polluting the burn.

To raise the profile of this joint action, a colourful glossy leaflet and posters are being distributed to schools and factories around the catchment area of the burn, which originates on the far side of Altens, and meets the sea the Nigg Bay.

Gordon McIntosh, corporate director for neighbourhood services south said: “Pollution in the burn goes back a long way. We are working with SEPA and Scottish Water to regenerate the environment of the south of the city, and are asking local folk to help us by reporting any incidents of pollution they see when they are out and about in the area to a dedicated hotline, so that early investigations can be started.

“We are also investigating future measures to clean up the burn in St Fitticks Community Park and will widely consult in the community once any specific measures have been evaluated”.

You can help clean up the burn by reporting any pollution you see by calling Sepa on the hotline number 0800 80 70 60.

Please download the East Tullos leaflet.

If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.